Price police seize 'high-grade' pot

An impromptu investigation and subsequent traffic stop lead to a substantial marijuana related arrest in Price Wednesday morning, as nearly five ounces of "high grade" pot was seized in a drug free zone by Price Police.

According to Capt. Bill Barnes, Daniel Naveed Hekmet, 19, of Price was taken into custody at 11:20 a.m. Wednesday, near 600 Price River Drive. He was booked into Carbon County Jail on one count of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute in a drug free zone.

The incident began when Officer Stephen Regruto observed Hekmet while on routine patrol. The officer stated that he noticed the suspect "popping his head up and down repeatedly in the backseat of a stationary vehicle."

After learning that the car had no auto insurance, Regruto initiated a traffic stop when Hekmat began driving.

Subsequent questioning, post Miranda warnings and waiver of same, resulted in an alleged acknowledgment by Hekmet that he was "weighing his bud," in the back seat.

After the arrest, Price police seized several baggies of marijuana with labels such as "Gooberry," "Master," and "Mango," said Barnes. The total weight of the marijuana was 4.755 ounces.

Paraphernalia was also seized by Regruto.

The suspect reportedly told police that he received the narcotics on consignment and was given $1,000 worth of product, in street value, to sell.

"Regruto noted that the seized marijuana is right up there with the best bud he's ever seen," said Barnes.

According to the captain, Regruto's comments are qualified because he has seen hundreds of samples of pot from skunk and high grade pharmaceuticals to stale stem and seed-infested commercial brick weed.

As part of his training, Regruto is a Field Investigation Drug Officer (FIDO), which means that the Price officer spends 40 hours every year learning to identify different types of marijuana in the field, as well as other prohibited drugs.